| Articles
Main |
Following
NUFC In Europe: SC Heerenveen Trip (With Photos) |
SC Heerenveen Vs NUFC Thursday 17th Ferbruary
By
Tanzo
Wednesday 16th:
Our flight was at 7 so most of Wednesday afternoon was spent, doing
a few final jobs. Haircut, shower, last minute packing as usual. I
met the lads Wubble-UC (Luke) & Broonale Geordie at 5.30pm and we
checked in. Buses to the ground and back to Amsterdam put on by Dutchtoon
of Skunkers, would transport us, so we'd be based in Amsterdam. After
checking in, we did the essentials. Go to the pub. We had a quick
pint then had to board. It went surprisingly quickly and we were on
the plane for 6.40pm.
Then, we got some bad news. A computer had gone down in the control
tower in Glasgow, causing congestion in the sky above the UK and we
didn't have any airspace to be able to take off. We would be grounded
for the foreseeable future. Luckily, it only took half an hour so
we set off slightly late. When we got to Amsterdam we got train tickets
and headed to Amsterdam Central.
This was Holland, maps were clear, trains arrived and departed on
time, tickets were reasonably priced and best of all they were fast.
We got to Amsterdam Central in no time. We headed to "The Globe" where
Dutchtoon had got Luke and I a place for the night. We dumped our
bags, to discover we'd be sharing a sort of dormitory with a load
of bunk beds! Broonale, had been shifted somewhere else so we went
to see his place. Much better, own room with TV, and his own shower.
We decided we'd see if they had room for us for the Thursday night,
which they did. So we booked there and then and handed over 85 euros
between us for it. Then we headed to "Hotel the Crown" to meet a few
of the lads off Skunkers and have a few beers and smokes. After a
few pints, some of us took a walk down the canal where the women of
ill repute touted for business, as we gazed. We had a few more pints
and then went back to 'The Crown'.
We stayed there till 2, and then went back to our own hotel 'The Globe'.
We had a few more in there then I stumbled up to my room. Someone
hadn't made their room and was fast asleep in the corridor! I made
my room but didn't fancy the top bunk in my state so I snuggled up
in the bottom. When Wubble-UC came in 10 minutes later, with no ladders
to climb up had a right job getting up. Eventually, he took a run
and jump and made it.
Thursday 17th:
I was awoken at 9.30 by someone checking if people had paid. Checking
out time in Amsterdam seemed to be 10am everywhere, not 12pm as usual.
My head was pounding and I felt rough! We went over to the 'Continental'
where we'd booked for that night, as the room was ready. I went back
to sleep. I spent most of the morning dozing. I pulled myself round
and got showered and ready. Then watched an episode of 'Airport' in
Dutch!
Luke and Broonale had gone to see Dutchtoon about paying for the coach
and getting the tickets. When they came back it was 2pm and we headed
out for some food. The coach was leaving at 4.45pm so we ate and then
headed for some pubs and saw some of the others about. The banter
was great and the excitement was building. We got to the meeting point
at the "Victoria Hotel" and a few others were about.
When the coaches pulled up we hopped on. The driver gave some ground
rules, the basics; keep the place tidy and no damage. I slept mostly
on the coach, as I was still a bit knackered. I wanted to save myself
for the match. We got to Heerenveen at 7pm. Kick-off was 8.45pm local
time so we looked for a pub. I've never seen a shopping centre with
a distinct lack of bars around. We walked and walked, but could see
nothing. Eventually, we turned a corner and magic, 3 bars. There was
time for a couple of drinks, though the fumes off the joints were
giving me a major headache.
We left the bar at 8.15 and headed back to the ground. There looked
to be a big queue outside the turnstiles but when we got up to them
we went straight in. The body search was thorough and then we were
free to take up our places. No seat numbers were issued, people were
free to go as they pleased. The Newcastle fans were already singing,
though it was droned out by loud music a bit. Just before the players
come out orchestrated by the PA man, the fans waved flags on a stick,
and sang songs. Very impressive.
The players came out and the Newcastle fans cranked the volume up.
However, the loud music persisted right up to kick off. Newcastle
fans stood as normal. Seats had been bolted on, and I understand these
can be removed when needed. They consisted mainly of a bit of plastic
to park your butt, but not much of a backrest. Incidentally, no-one
died, take note FLA. I didn't see any stewards at all, except at half-time
when some from NUFC were milling around.
The Game:
As for the game. We once again played a flat midfield and Kluivert
played off the strikers. Newcastle started brightly, and things looked
positive. However, with the flat midfield, and a distinct lack of
any width our main game plan was route one to Shearer for him to flick
on or win free-kicks. Neither, Ameobi nor Kluivert particularly fancied
chasing the flick-ons and the system once again fell short. Babayaro
and Carr got forward when they could. My criticism of the way we play
right now is that with Shearer in the side we have to play to his
strengths, or he becomes a passenger.
He needs a foil, something Bellamy did exceptionally well. (I don't
intend to start another Bellamy discussion you'll be relieved to know).
Therefore, the best way to do this is to have wingers in place to
supply him with crosses, and chances to pounce. Kluivert is far more
dangerous in the 6-yard box too. Ameobi played poorly I feel. There
wasn't enough thought in his play. One chance he was put through,
granted he had a defender to beat, but instead of driving at goal
and taking him on he took a heavy touch that forced him to drift out
wide and away from goal. That's just helping the defender no end.
Heerenveen began to control the game and scored. Bramble seemed to
turn right into danger, and was dispossessed, Bruggink then teed up
Huntelaar who after having a similar chance earlier, turned well,
and blasted a shot that struck the crossbar as it went in. The Newcastle
fans' high spirits took a major dent. They soon found their singing
voices again, and as the half came to a close, some took their shirts
off while most continued to sing during half-time. In the second half,
the mood seemed to turn sour. Slowly but surely more and more supporters
started to get irritated.
There'd been some chants for Robert in the first half and these intensified.
Then, some began to chant "Freddie Shepherd, what a wanker" then "Graeme
Souness what a wanker". "Sack the board" followed. Just when things
seemed lost, a resounding "We love Newcastle we do". Perfect I thought.
Shepherd, Souness et all may be tending the club right now, but it's
our club. The badge and the club is who we support, the players just
represent it. The noise levels seemed to increase a little bit more.
Hughes had replaced Babayaro due to injury, and then Robert came on.
He replaced the ineffective Ameobi and instantly things picked up.
This is by no means all Robert's doing, we simply reverted to 4-4-2
and played better as a team. Shearer equalised, after he was put through
by good work from Kluivert. Having missed an earlier chance when he
dallied before seeing his shot blocked, he made no mistake drilling
past the keeper.
The away end erupted. Due to the style of seating as previously explained,
many stood on their seats and saluted Shearer. Many took their shirts
off, myself and Luke included, though I put mine back on, Luke decided
not to. One guy tweaked his nipples a tad, so Luke informed him it
was a digital radio, and if he kept going he might tune Metro in!
Newcastle then scored again when Robert drilled a cross-field ball
to Kluivert, who fed Carr and his cross saw (from my vantage point)
the ball hit Bowyer and somehow rolled into the net, though on TV
it looked like he kind of meant it… to which the away end erupted
again.
Personally, I didn't move for a split second, I was in complete shock
at our luck; it's about time we had some. There was still time for
Bramble to make another major error. He gave the ball away, allowing
Vayrynen a run in on goal, only to be denied by a terrific stop from
Given. Bowyer was sent off for seemingly patting the ball. Given saved
the resulting free-kick, and we hung on. Taylor replaced Shearer,
and he did a fine job holding the ball in the corner to run down the
clock.
After the game we were held back for 10 minutes. As we were leaving
some fans in the Heerenveen bit next to us unfurled a flag saying:
"Holland loves Newcastle United FC" so Luke took a snap. When we got
out we got back on the coach, and our tickets were checked so that
buses weren't confused with the official club coaches put on. Fans
of either side waved to each other, it was very friendly. Some even
clapped as our buses pulled out.
We sang some songs, and slurped on cool cans of Heinikken. When we
got back to Amsterdam, the majority from the coaches gathered in 'The
Crown'. We had some pints, then Luke and myself headed off for nearer
to our place. We found somewhere with a couple of Toon fans and Broonale
was also there; his Aquascutum jumper was visible from across the
road. I was moments into my pint when a Chinese woman who owned the
bar decided we had to dance! I tried to palm her off on to Luke but
it was hopeless. After the 'dance' we finished our pints, then went
as the place had to close. We headed back to the hotel and went to
bed.
Friday:
With our flight not till 6pm we had bags of time on our hands. Checkout
time was 10am though we slept in! At 10.30 one of the workers knocked
to see if we wanted to stay another night. We explained and got ready.
After that we spent the Friday grabbing some food and walking around
Amsterdam square. We went back to 'The Crown' for a quick drink, mainly
to use the toilet, and then say goodbyes to the staff.
We decided to go to the airport and just kill time there. So we went
to the station, caught the train, and headed for the airport. We checked
in via a machine which scanned our passport and knew who we were and
what flight we were on. Very clever. We got chatting to a bloke from
Edinburgh who'd been working near Schalke and was going home. He supported
Hearts, and we had a football chat. Once again, football connected
total strangers, and we shared a beer. We went to our boarding gate
when it was time and got on the plane. No delays this time and we
got in to Newcastle bang on time. The end of another adventure supporting
NUFC.
|
 |
Toon
Shirts |
|
Sponsors |
|
|
